(Image: @joshandjenna via Instagram)
It takes equal measures of renovating experience and optimism to stand before a house missing a roof and say: “Structurally the home was in excellent condition.”
But that’s exactly what professional renovators and former The Block contestants Josh and Jenna Densten did when they first laid eyes on the dilapidated homestead that would become their new home in Rutherglen.
Anyone who has followed the couple since their debut on The Block back in 2011 will recognise this instinct. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for spotting potential where others see only problems, and transforming even the most unlikely properties into something remarkable.
And their Rutherglen renovation is no exception. Read on to see their phenomenal transformation.
KITCHEN
Josh and Jenna unveiled the completion of an extension that consisted of the living, kitchen and dining room in November 2023. “Our extension is designed to be just right for our family — big enough for fun but not too much to handle. Easy maintenance, durability, and a connection to the outdoors were non-negotiables for us,” wrote Jenna.
Jenna says the key to achieving a harmonious open-plan space is to stick to a colour palette which helps to create cohesion between each distinct zone.
“We aimed for a colour palette that compliments the landscape,” says Jenna. “Earthy neutrals throughout was our choice.”
Josh outlined the best way to stay inside a budget. “Dealing with high trade prices led us to learn new skills for DIY work.” He also recommends that anyone planning a kitchen renovation should get as many quotes as possible. “Labour and material prices have risen significantly and budgets may need adjustment compared to previous expectations. We saved by handling carpentry, plumbing and painting ourselves.”
“Balancing renovating and parenting two kids was also challenging. We had to take it in turns to renovate and parent! Not sure which job was harder!”
Jenna Densten
Josh and Jenna’s kids also inspired them to ensure every detail in the kitchen — from the floor up — is durable, easy to maintain and up to the demands of daily life on a farm. Tile throughout was a no-brainer. “It’s durable, especially in high-traffic zones like the island bench and entry. It also provides a cool feel in summer and supports underfloor heating in winter,” says Jenna.
Other neat design features include an Electrolux induction cooktop that syncs with the rangehood and adjusts the speed of the fan according to the heat level selected on the cooktop.
“Speciality tapware like filter taps, pot fillers and taps with instant boiling and chilling functions,” were at the top of the couple’s list of must-haves.
Now that the room is complete, Jenna says she’s so glad she installed two ovens. “It’s a luxury and allows us to cook dinner and dessert simultaneously.”
“Capture every item in your kitchen renovation budget: appliances, joinery, plumbing, electrical, fixtures, carpentry, painting, heating/cooling and tiling,” say Josh and Jenna. Doing so will allow you to avoid any surprise costs that may pop up during a renovation.
Josh and Jenna’s kitchen renovation budget tip
LIVING & DINING
The warm, neutral colour palette flows through to the living and dining areas. To bring texture and interest to the living area, the couple used timber ‘Arava’ floorboards by @terramaterfloors to create a feature wall.
BEDROOMS
Guest Bedroom
In May 2023, the couple unveiled their first completed room: the guest bedroom. “My vision for this room was to create a whimsical and nostalgic guest bedroom with the view to become Story’s [the couple’s daughter] bedroom when the time is right,” wrote Jenna on Instagram.
“We incorporated a mix of old and new with whimsical wallpaper and soft green joinery. I wanted this room to feel cosy, layered and have a sense of history.”
Girls’ bedroom
Then in July 2023, the couple revealed Fred and Story’s shared bedroom. “The inspiration behind the colour palette was not just Freddie’s favourite colour, pink, but also the history of the home,” says Jenna, referring to the home’s original painted-brick exterior.
The couple colour-drenched the room in Dulux Mornington, to create the room’s whimsical, warm atmosphere. “We love that the wall colour matches the skirting, it allows the generous space and fit-out of the room to shine,” says Jenna.
LAUNDRY
It’s rare to find a farmhouse laundry you can genuinely describe as calming, but somehow Josh and Jenna have managed to do it! The same earthy neutrals give the space a connection to the adjoining kitchen and butler’s pantry but clever joinery and deep cabinetry conceal the room’s genius inner-workings.
“Our girls explore and play freely,” says Jenna, who encourages the kids to enjoy a free-range lifestyle on the farm. “But as many parents will know, playing outside leads to delightful laundry challenges!” Jenna says selecting a washer and dryer with smart sensors makes wash day a breeze.
The couple also prioritised bench space for treating, sorting and folding washing and a deep sink that will serve double duty as the fresh fruit and vegie washing station for goodies gathered straight from the kitchen garden.
RUMPUS ROOM
Next was a multi-functional and family-friendly space: the rumpus room. This room was also colour-drenched, this time in a serene shade of green, Dulux Paris Creek.
“It will be a place to play, gather, relax and enjoy,” the couple wrote on Instagram. “The very purpose of this room is to create a cosy and comfortable breakaway zone from the main living areas of the home.”
To maximise room and pack in as much storage as possible, the couple chose to include a mix of both built-in joinery and loose furniture.
HALLWAY
In October 2023, the couple unveiled their newly renovated hallway. “Here’s the hallway progress to date after a HUGE weekend of renovations,” the couple wrote on Instagram. The simply styled hallway features an understated, neutral colour palette and and brand new floor from Form Flooring.
While most of Josh and Jenna’s followers were amazed by the complete transformation, other eagle-eyed fans spotted a key detail missing: the original leadlight windows surrounding the door. “The stained glass was broken and not energy-efficient so we’ve replaced it with double glazing,” wrote Jenna in response to the comments. “For us, every efficiency is everything. One day we will get it replicated in double-glazed,” she said.
While it would be wonderful to see every original detail restored, if you’ve ever renovated a heritage home, you’ll understand the challenge. Supportive followers praised Josh and Jenna for reviving a home that was in complete disrepair. “You’ve made this roofless structure … into a home,” wrote photographer Sophie Marsh.
LANDSCAPE
One of the first big projects Josh and Jenna tackled outside is the pool, which was installed next to an alfresco area with a fireplace and lounge area. “Bring on summer! Sitting here, watching the sunset while the kids swim and play on the grass. THIS is what I’ve been waiting for,” they shared on Instagram, later adding, “We certainly are lucky ducks to live here.”
The pair’s landscaping has slowly unfolded as the seasons rolled by. “This property is about the exterior, more so than the interior,” says Jenna. “We plan to utilise the land to nurture fruit, vegetables, animals and flowers.”
They even called upon landscape designer Phillip Withers to helped create an “epic landscaping plan” that completes the home’s incredible transformation. “Another weekend of landscaping, and I am SO excited to no longer have mud at my front door!” the couple shared, along with images of new paths around garden beds full of natives and rustic boulders.
The chooks appeared to be enjoying their new setting too.
The landscape is an essential part of any build, which can take time to flourish. Now, the couple are starting to see their efforts pay off, particularly when the sunset is covering the picturesque country home.
The front of the house is beginning to shine, with the landscaping starting to wrap the home in a welcoming, cohesive embrace.
The very near completed front landscaping features a sandy pathway that winds through a luscious native garden.
The country home also features a beautiful grassed area that’s perfect for the children to play on.
A recent photograph posted to the couple’s Instagram account shows the couple’s two daughters kicking a soccer ball in the grassed area in front of the pool, along with a caption from Jenna describing the effort it has taken to create their garden from scratch.
“Most weekends you’ll find us out in the garden. It’s become our happy place. Building a garden from scratch takes time but this is the reason why. Seeing everyone outside enjoying it makes it all worth it. ”
Jenna Densten
BACKSTORY
Josha and Jenna’s former home, Canning Cottage in inner-Melbourne, won ‘Best Residential Design’ at the Australian Interior Design Awards in 2018. Before the pair worked their magic on that property, it was nothing but a tiny, badly updated, heritage-listed house with a shonky rear extension.
The move: From inner Melbourne to regional Victoria
Canning Cottage was always supposed to be the family’s forever home, but in late 2021, after months of lockdowns and separation from family, Josh and Jenna began entertaining the idea of going back to their roots and moving to the country.
“We didn’t have a support network and the things we once loved about city life had really lost meaning,” says Jenna. That was when Josh spotted the Rutherglen homestead for sale on Facebook Marketplace. “We were first drawn to the property and from there we fell in love with the historic wine region, the food, the people and the beauty.”
“When we first drove up to the property, it had two tall brick chimneys sticking up into the air, with no roof! Its also perched up on a hill overlooking Rutherglen, so it had the presence of a castle,” says Jenna.
The couple, who operate Plan Proofing, a design and renovation consulting service, knew that time was of the essence. They submitted their plans, permits and trades for the home during the settlement period. “By the time we moved up [to Rutherglen] things were moving fast!” says Jenna.
Because the home wasn’t in liveable condition, however, the family first needed to take up residence in a large shed on the property, which Josh and Jenna also transformed into a gorgeous family home.
By November 2022, renovations of The Castle were well underway.
Jenna says one of the reasons they were able to progress with the updates so quickly is because the home was in such great structural condition.
“Someone knew how to build back in the late 1800s. We had to rip up old floorboards as they were rotten and damaged in areas. Lucky for us, the sub floor was all red gum which was in as good condition as the day it was laid.”
Josh and Jenna Densten are documenting the renovation of their Rutherglen home via Instagram @joshandjenna and YouTube.
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